Garmin eTrex Vista Handheld GPS Navigator
by Garmin
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List Price: Our Price: $65.00 You Save: $234.99 (78%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: GPS or Navigation System See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin eTrex Vista Handheld GPS Navigator
Customer Review: Urban Explorer
Summary: 5 Stars
As an urban explorer, I'm not sure I fit the typical profile for a handheld GPS consumer. Nevertheless, having just returned from three weeks navigating the cities Great Britain on foot, I am completely sold on the utility of this product. I used the eTrex Vista in conjunction with the UK MetroGuide product which allows one to upload detailed maps, with the coordinates of tourist attractions, transportation facilitates, etc. No more burying my head in maps and hunting for street signs, with the GPS it's point, click walk straight to it! This product saved me hours of the wandering and frustration I experienced on my first trip. The only qualification I will make on using the GPS in the city is that tall buildings and narrow streets can cause loss of reception. I found this to be a workable limitation since one could always stand on an open street corner for a moment and take a new reading.As the most expensive in the eTrex series, this unit has much needed extra RAM, a built in compass, and a barometer / altimeter. The built in compass is handy to help you keep on track when you lose satellite reception. Obviously, parked cars and other metal objects can throw it off, but you can toggle the feature on and off at will. I did not use the barometer / altimeter.
As with any tool, you need to spend a little time learning to work with it effectively. As a frequent traveler without the keenest sense of direction, I found the investment, both in time and dollars, well worthwhile.
Customer Review: Promising with a major BUT
Summary: 3 Stars
I love all the features of this device -- the compass, altimeter, it's compact size (smaller than my cell phone -- the pictures suggest a slightly larger device), the small number of buttons to push, and esp the 'click' button, which (the directions don't quite indicate)not only clicks down but moves off center in the four compass directions -- the equivalent of a mouse and click function in one. I took it to the lake nearby yesterday, and while the base map didn't show the State highway I was on, it showed the lake and my crossing it. This DOES work fine picking up signals on the dash of my Quest minivan or even held up to the skylight (closed). There are LOTS of menu choices I still have to learn about at this early stage.....Yes it may be designed for lefties, but I don't see any real problems in this department -- you've got key buttons to push on both sides and the click button on the front.The BUT is the battery situation. New batteries (aklaline and Lithium both tried) are inserted; the device suggests AT THAT POINT that only 40% (roughly) of a charge is left, and within 2-3 hours of continuous use, a low battery indicator shows up. I wonder if I have a short draining juice!? I know to turn off the compass and perhaps even the WAAS, but I cannot easily retain a product that indicates from the get-go that over half of my reserve is shot. The question now is, can I find technical help from Garmin to suggest whether I'm holding a defective unit, or is this by design???
Customer Review: Good compact GPS
Summary: 4 Stars
About the size of my cell phone it fits easily in my purse, this little unit has surprised me with it's features. It is WAAS enabled and accurate (at least in Seattle and Puget Sound).The biggest thing the Vista has that other eTrex products do not is 24 MB of memory. This extra memory allows for longer Track records than other eTrex products. Two other cool features included are a genuine magnetic compass (for use when stationary) and a real barometer. (It is also water proof like the rest of the eTrex products.)
When coupled with MapSource software this product is really neat. MapSource allows quick creation of routes and waypoints that upload quickly into the Vista. The Vista can also have all of the waypoints and tracks, routes created on it downloaded to your PC. I really like the track review and printing I can get from MapSource PC software. (MapSource is NOT included with this product)
The initial map in the GPS was a little disappointing. I immediately wanted more and better data. Fortunately this was quickly fixed by purchasing a MapSource cartography product as well. (I'm using "Waterways and Lights")
Another thing to consider is that the Vista likes batteries (new batteries every 13 hrs), yum, yum. You will probably want the cigarette lighter power supply and some rechargeable Ni-MH AA batteries.
Check out Garmin.com for Vista firmware and MapSource upgrades and bulletins. Their after sale software support for this product is very good.
Customer Review: Good so far
Summary: 4 Stars
I have had this unit for just under a year. So far it has worked fairly well. Several reviews complain about poor sat reception and that it doesnt even work in the car.
I have been able to get good reception in the car, as accurate as 6 feet (when laying on the dash). While on my knee it stayed within 15-20 feet. Even in my house, away from the window i get spotty reception. I have not tried it under trees yet.
The features are awsome. all the data collection when laying a track is great.
I have also read in a few reviews that the unit will turn off for no reason. I have experienced this twice. When i turn it back on it goes back to what it was doing before shutdown (i was laying a trail). Not sure why this occurred but it is a bit annoying
This unit was a gift so i didnt get to do research and make my own choice. Had i had that oppt. i probably would have either bought this one or more than likely the 60CS. [...]
I go backpacking annually in SW Colorado and this was the only reason i was given this. I had no intensions to use the unit for street navigation. But I have played around with it. It seems to work ok but it certainly wasnt designed for street applications.
Once i start doing so geocaching and packing with it, testing it under different environments and coverage, i plan to update this review.
Until then i would have to say i have been please with the unit.
Customer Review: Best Gadget I've bought this year
Summary: 5 Stars
Had my Vista for about 2 months already. Used it for a 3000 mile trip from LA to Seattle via Yellostone National Park without getting lost. Best accuracy I had was about 5 ft somewhere in the desert when you can lock onto one of those WAAS satellites over the Pac and Atlantic coasts. Average accuracy was about 13ft, which is not too bad actually.
If you're going to use it while driving, I recommend buying the car charger and the optional but very, very, very useful Mapsource Metroguide maps.
With all those, I dont have to worry about buying fresh sets of batteries on a long trip (batteries lasts less than 10 hours I guess with everything turned on) and with the convenience of being able to locate just about anything of interest with the Metroguide maps. You can even search for the closest restaurant or grocery shop with the Metroguide, all from the Vista!
The only complain I have is the 24Mb memory. It may seem like a lot considering that other eTrex have less than 8Mb, but 24Mb will be enough for about 3 detailed city maps with the Metroguide. That's a problem if you're travelling on a long distance and wont be carrying a notebook with you. Lets just say that once you've uploaded Metroguide, you dont want to use the basemaps anymore.
The other problem is the serial connector. Imagine uploading 24Mb with a RS232 serial interface. It takes almost 1 hour sometimes.
Its recommended! If you had to buy only 1 gadget this year, make sure its this...